What's Missing in the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

Abstract

avoid these harms. But understanding the goals of the system need not be a prerequisite for that. The ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (CEPC) largely focuses on the second question—of uncovering harm, avoiding harm, and speaking out against harm—but does not say much about defining the goals of systems built by computing professionals. CEPC at best prescribes broad goals such as building systems for the “benefit of society,” or slightly more specific goals such as “promoting fundamental human rights” or Two questions that are often encountered when evaluating the ethics of a technology project are Who is your product or service meant to benefit? and Is somebody being harmed by your product or service? These questions require different frameworks to answer them. The first question requires clarity on the objectives of the technology system and consequently helps understand whose needs these objectives are meant to serve. Answering the second question, however, does not require clarity on the goals of the system. If harms being caused by the system can be identified, then T What’s Missing in the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct